What is positional asphyxia?

• A. Positional Asphyxia
• B. Choking
• C. Drowning
• D. Strangulation

Answer: (A)

Positional asphyxia happens when breathing is compromised by the body’s position or how someone is restrained, not by something blocking the airway or a blow to the neck. If the chest and diaphragm can’t expand properly because of pressure, poor posture, or being held in a way that restricts breathing, oxygen intake drops and suffocation can occur even though the airway itself is open. This makes it different from choking (airway obstruction from a foreign object), drowning (breathing in liquid), or strangulation (external compression of the neck). In safety and restraint contexts, the focus is on avoiding positions that restrict breathing and quickly adjusting posture to allow normal respiration.